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MEMORIAL 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



UPON THE DEATB SF 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON, 



LATE A SENATOR FROM THE FOURTH DISTRICT 



PENNSVLVANIA. (^c^^-^ 



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HARHISBURG. PA.: 
lARRISlBrRG PUBLISHING CO., 8TATE PHINTKB 

1906. 




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RESOLUTION. 



In the Senate, 
February 7, 1905. 
Resolved, (if the House of Representatives concur), That one thou- 
sand (1,000) copies of the proceedings of the memorial services, held iu 
honor of the late Honorable John T. Harrison, be printed for the use 
of the Senate. 

FRANK A. JUDD, 
Chief Clerk of the Senate. 
The foregoing resolution concurred in February 8, 1905. 

THOMAS H. GARVIN, 
Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
Approved— The 14th day of February, A. D. 1905. 

SAML. W. PENNYPACKER. 



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PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



UPON THB DEATH OF 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON. 



In the Senate, 
Tuesday, January 24, 1905. 

On motion of Senator Shepard, the following resolution was twice 
read, considered and agreed to, viz: 

Resolved, That a committee of nine members of the Senate be ap- 
pointed to draft suitable resolutions and prepare a programme for 
memorial exercises on the death of the late Senator John T. Harrison, 
of Philadelphia, who died on December eighteenth, one thousand nine 
hundred and three; of the late Senator Alexander E. Patton, who died 
September fifth, one thousand nine hundred and four, and upon the 
late Edwin W. Smiley, Chief Cleric, who died September seventh, one 
thousand nine hundred and four, and that a special meeting of the 
Senate be held Tuesday, February seventh, one thousand nine hundred 
and five, at two o'clock post meridian, to which said resolutions be 
submitted and the programme carried out. 



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MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS AND ADDRESSES. 



^ In the Senate. 

Tuesday, February 7, 1905. 

Afternoon Session. 

Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order at 
two o'clock post meridian. Lieutenant Governor Brown in 

the Chair. 

The PRESIDENT ( Lieutenant Governor Brown). Every 
Senator understands what the purpose of this meeting is. 
Since our last Assembly death has been more than unusually 
busy with the friends that we knew^ years ago. 

PRAYER. 

Prayer was offered by the Chaplain. Reverend J. Wesley 
Sullivan, as follows: 

O. Lord, our God. Thou dost lead us in marvelous and 
wonderful ways, and at this time Thou dost bring us into the 
face of death, for those whose hands used to grasp at ours 
and whose faces used to look into our own are now silent in 
the grave beneath the winter snow. In Thy providence they 
have been taken away from us. They have gone down the 
valley, the deep, dark valley, we shall see their faces no more 
until we pass down the valley, the deep, dark valley and meet 
tliem on the other shore. 

Thou art teaching us that in the midst of life we are in 
death, and though we may realize the activity of life and there 
may be no indication of our weakness or of the death that 
awaits us. nevertheless. O God. we realize by these lessons 
that we are passing away and sooner or later we must stand 
in Thv presence at the bar of judgment to render to Thee 

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MEMORIAL SERVICES. 



an account of our stewardship, for we realize that the places 
that now know us shall soon know us no more forever. 

Our desire and our prayer is that when Thy messenger shall 
come to us that we may be ready ; forbid that any of us should 
put off this great question, the preparation for the life that 
is beyond, and that death should meet us unprepared for this 
great change, help us by Thy grace and by Thy sustaining 
power to so live that we may have no fear, and we pray es- 
pecially for homes where death has come, where there are 
the widov/s and the beloved children, those who at this time 
look to this service being held here in memory of their be- 
loved who have left them, we ask Thee that in their hearts 
of sorrow and bereavement may come Thy special blessing 
and comfort. 

Bless us now, lead them and us by Thy presence so that 
when we are taken from this earthly home we may all go 
to that home not made by hands eternal in the heavens. 

We ask it for Christ's sake. Amen. 

Mr. SHEPARD. Mr. President, as chairman of the com- 
mittee appointed to draft resolutions expressing the senti- 
ment of the Senate on the death of Honorable John T. Har- 
rison, I offer the following resolutions: 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Whereas, The Almighty in His wisdom has called to his 
eternal rest the Honorable John T. Harrison, the Senator 
from the Fourth district, and' whereas his public and private 
life was a bright and noble example of honor, integrity and 
faithfulness; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate hereby express the deep sense 
of loss it has sustained in the death of Senator Harrison, 
vvhose entire life was devoted to the interests and benefits 
of his fellow men. 

Resolved. That in Senator Harrison we ever found a true 
and faithful friend, an earnest advocate of the interests of the 
people, an upright citizen and an ever ready champion of the 
right. 

Resolved, That the Senate records its sorrow at its close 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON. 



and that it extends to his fannly its sincere synipatliy for tlieni 
in their bereavement and we hope that in their sorrow the 
memory of his attainments and achievements may be a bahn 
to their hearts. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resohitions, with the action 
of the Senate thereon, duly engrossed and attested, be for- 
warded to the family of the deceased. 

JESSE S. SHEPARD, 
EDWIN A. IRVIN, 
H. H. CUMINGS, 
JOHN M. SCOTT. 
J. HENRY COCHRAN. 
J. K. P. HALL. 
CYRUS E. WOODS. 
J. A. STOBER. 
JOHN S. FISHER. 
WILLIAM C. SPROUL. 
President pro tempore, 

Committee. 



10 MEMORIAL SERVICES. 



ADDRESSES. 

Mr. SHEPARD. Mr. President and fellow Senators, As 
the successor of the late Senator John T. Harrison, it becomes 
my sorrowful duty to pay my humble tribute to his memory. 

Senator Harrison was my personal and political friend and 
from my long and intimate acquaintance with him I knew 
him as a thoroughly honest, upright and conscientious gen- 
tleman ; a sincere friend and a lovable companion. I cannot 
speak from a personal knowledge of his character, life and 
services as a member of the Legislature of this Common- 
wealth, but will leave that to those who knew him as a Sena- 
tor and as a member of the House. 

His early life was one filled with hardships ; but, like many 
of our great men, the privations in early life were but the 
foundations for his success in later years. 

He was born in Shefifield, England, March eighth, one 
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine (1849), ^"^ ^^ ^^^ 
age of six months removed with his parents to Philadelphia, 
where he resided until his death. 

He was educated in our public schools until he was fifteen 
years of age, when he enlisted with the Eleventh Maryland 
Volunteers. Company B, and served his country until the 
close of the war of the rebellion. After the war he engaged 
in various occupations and later entered one of the manufac- 
turing establishments in Germantown. By his honesty, in- 
tegrity, industry and perseverance he was rapidly advanced 
to the head of the well-known firm of Harrison & Mallatrat, 
of which firm he was a member at the time of his death. 

He was actively engaged in politics and rendered many 
valuable services to his party and his many friends. 

In the fall of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one 
( 1891), he was elected a member of the House of Representa- 
tives from the Twenty-first Legislative district to fill the un- 
expired term of the Honorable William H. Brooks, who had 
resigned from that body. He also served in the House dur- 
ing the sessions of one thousand eight hundred and ninety- 
three and one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five. Dur- 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON. U 



iiig the session ol one thousand eight hundred and ninety- 
three he contracted pneumonia and after a long illness he 
recovered, but never totally regained his health. In the fall 
of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six he was nomi- 
nated for re-election to the House, but on account of a fac- 
tional fight and his loyalty to his friends, which character- 
ized him as a man, he was defeated. In the fall of one thou- 
sand nine hundred he was elected to the House and served 
in that body during the session of one thousand nine hundred 
and one. In November, one thousand nine hundred and 
two, he was elected to the Senate from the Fourth Senatorial 
district and served in this body during the session of one 
thousand nine hundred and three. In December, one thou- 
sand nine hundred and three, he was nominated by the 
Republican party for the office of Receiver of Taxes for the 
county of Philadelphia. Within ten days after his nomination 
he was again stricken down with pneumonia and just at the 
time when he was about to be rewarded for his long and faith- 
ful services as a public official he was removed from among 
us by an all-powerful and far-seeing Providence. 

The announcement of his sudden death cast a gloom over 
the whole community, and the throng of citizens from all 
parts of the State who silently followed the remains to their 
last resting place eloquently expressed the profound sorrow 
felt by all who knew him. The loss of Senator Harrison 
caused a sensible gap in the councils of his party. As to the 
district which he represented and the section of the State 
with which he was particularly identified no strange tongue 
may venture to attempt words of adequate consolation. His 
sudden and untimely death serves as a warning to us to heed 
the W)ice which comes to us all, both as individuals and as 
public officers, in so solemn and signal a Province of God ; 
that whatever happens we must all die ; that we should reflect 
how vain are the personal strifes and partisan contests in 
which we daily engage in view of the great account which 
we may soon be called upon to render. 

Senator Harrison leaves a widow\ a son and two daughters. 
I may say without invading the sacred precincts of that now 
sad home in Philadelphia, that I cannot find words to ade- 



12 MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

quately describe the unremitting love and unseltish devotion 
w^hich characterized him as a loving father and a devoted 
husband. Senator Harrison was a loyal friend and both in 
public and private life he won the esteem and admiration of 
all who knew him. 

Mr. CHARLES L. BROWN made a brief address express- 
ing his appreciation of the good qualities of Senator Harrison 
and his regret at his decease, the loss felt by the Senate and 
the circle of his family and friends. 

Mr. SISSON. Mr. President, as a brother Senator I 
did not have any personal acquaintance with Senator Harri- 
son to whom we pay tribute to-day until he took his seat at 
the opening of the session of one thousand nine hundred and 
three. I remember him well as he joined us then. I was 
impressed with the ability, intelligence and energy manifested 
by him in the discharge of his official duties. I remember 
him well as he appeared with delegations before different 
committees of which I was a member, and I remember the 
good judgment and intelligence manifested by him in behalf 
of his constituents. I noted him as he followed his bills 
from the committee and guided them upon the floor of the 
Senate and I noted again that he followed them through the 
House, and when at the end o*" the session the result appeared 
in the shape of a bound volume, I again noticed that his 
work was well done. 

We were neighbors. Senator Harrison's seat in the old 
circle having been near to my own. His uniform courtesy, 
kindness and consideration for others made him a desirable 
neighbor and a valuable member of the Senate. As the 
daily sessions passed in their order it was always a pleasure to 
note that his chair was filled and its vacancy was always ac- 
companied with regret. I often found myself listening to his 
response to roll call at his place in the roll and it takes a second 
thought to remind me that he has gone to the great beyond. 

I consider that in the hereafter it will be well with me 
if I shall again respond to the roll call as his neighbor. 

Mr. GODCHARLES. Mr. President and gentlemen of 
the Senate, It was my honor and good fortune to serve for a 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON. 13 



brief period in the lower House of the Coinnioiiwealth with 
our deceased colleague, Senator Harrison. 

\\ould that I had the power of thought and speech that 
I might be able to add a word to the record and achievements 
of this soldier-statesman, business man and colleague, which 
have been so elocpiently eulogized here to-day, and I speak 
on behalf of those members of this body who came up from 
the low er branch with Senator Harrison. 

We fully realize what the loss of such a member means to 
this body and to the Commonwealth lie so ably and justly 
served and assure you the news of his serious illness and sud- 
den death came as a shock to his friends and colleagues. 

Mr. SPROUL. Mr. President, I am glad to have an 
opportunity of saying a few informal words of respect to our 
late colleague. I became quite well acquainted with Senator 
Harrison in the only term in which he served in the Senate. 
T had known him as a member of the House before but did 
not become intimately acquainted with him until he came 
here among us. 

His career always impressed me as being typical of the 
advantages which our country and epecially our State offers 
to young; men who start as he did, along a rough road in life, 
and who by ability, intelligence and probity bring themselves 
to a high position in business and in the afTairs of the State. 
Born in England in the manufacturing districts, like so many 
men here who ha\e brought the textile skill of Lancashire 
and Yorkshire into Pennsylvania, Senator Harrison, as I say, 
typified the strong race from which he came, and his career 
shows what a man of his characteristics can accomplish under 
our institutions. 

\\'hen he came to the Senate his quiet, unostentatious ways, 
his attention to duty, immediately won him a place here. He 
was highly regarded and respected, and, as my colleague 
from Erie says, his place was always filled and his attention 
was always with the matter in hand and before the Senate. 

In speaking to those who knew him well, T would speak 
of three characteristics of Senator Harrison which, it seems 
to me. go far in making up character in any man. The first 
was liis kindness in his home, his devotion to his family; the 



14 MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

second was his fidelity to his friends, and the third was his 
general kindliness of heart with those with whom he was 
brought into contact actively in business. He found time 
to be kind. It seems to me that when the final reckoning" 
is made and the score is cast up on the great day that a man 
of Senator Harrison's characteristics will be far advanced 
along the road which we all hope we may travel. 

His loss was not only a great loss to his home and family, 
but to the Senate and State as well, and his place here will 
be respected and honored as long as any of us are left to 
remember his faithful service. 

Mr. HERBST. Mr. President, well aware of the virtue 
of the old Latin proverb, "De mortuis nihil nisi bonum," nev- 
ertheless, I shall say naught but what springs from an honest 
opinion. I desire to bring my laurel wreath of esteem to the 
memory of John Harrison. I first met Senator Harrison 
four years ago when he as a member of the House, and I 
as a Senator, convalescing from a serious illness, took our 
meals at the same table for several months. That long ses- 
sion running through the early budding and blooming of 
flowers and mating of birds into midsummer, gave us a great 
opportunity to be more social than usual and to become well 
acquainted. I found him a genial, big hearted, whole-souled 
gentleman. Partisan he was, but at the same time liberal 
enough to give an honest opponent credit for his convictions. 
While he had no sympathy with an insurgent in his own ranks, 
being firmly for the organization, he could honor and respect 
a Democrat. My relations wath him were pleasant, and his 
sudden, unexpected death w^as a severe shock. I attended 
his funeral out of sincere personal regard, and the large con- 
course of people there spoke in eloquence greater than words 
of the esteem in which he was held by his neighbors, who after 
all are the best judges of a manly man. 

He died poor, an eloquent tribute to his honesty. Randall, 
Kelly and Harrison poor after a life of public service. What 
oases among Philadelphia politicians! While others were 
amassing wealth he evidently looked after the interests of 
his people. Glorious news for his city and the constituency 
he honored. I regarded John Harrison as a friend and manly 



HON. JOHN T. HARRISON. 15 

man while in life and after "life's fitful fever" may he have 
earned the reward of those who labor faithfully here for so 
brief a time, in that land, where the weary cease from toil 
forever. 

"tlonest toil is blest, and he who works most faithfully 
has earned the sweetest rest." 

The PRESIDENT. It was a pleasure for anyone to know 
Senator Harrison. I knew him but briefly, but on every 
occasion when it was my privilege to come in contact with 
him I found him a manly man and a splendid Senator. While 
his successor may do possibly more than he. he always did 
his best. 

The PRESIDENT. The question is on the adoption of 
the resolutions offered relative to the late Senator from Phila- 
delpliia. Mr. Harrison, 
The question being, 

Will the Senate agree to the resolutions? 
They were unanimously agreed to. 




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